Book criminal case against KS Eshwarappa, says Rai

Mangaluru: Former minister B Ramanath

Rai

has urged the authorities to book a criminal case against rural development and panchayat raj minister

KS Eshwarappa

, following the death of Belagavi-based civil contractor Santosh

Patil

. Rai told reporters here on Wednesday that Eshwarappa should be sacked from the cabinet immediately. “Police must book a murder case against him and should arrest him. Even Patil’s wife has termed his death as murder,” he said. Patil was found dead in a lodge room in Udupi on Tuesday, weeks after he accused Eshwarappa of demanding a 40% commission in sanctioning work bills worth Rs 4 crore. Rai said Patil’s WhatsApp message “is nothing but a death note.” It mentions the persistent harassment from Eshwarappa and his aides. Rai said those who came to power with the slogan ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga’ (would not take bribes, nor will let anyone do so), had remained silent even after the contractors’ association submitted a complaint on commission charges to the Prime Minister’s Office. “Patil ended his life after he reportedly failing to get the bills cleared for the 108 government contract works worth over Rs 4 crore that he carried out. He had borrowed from money lenders thinking that once the works are completed payment will be made by the authorities concerned,” he said. Rai said former minister KJ George had resigned in the DySp MK Ganapathi case. Later, the CBI gave George a clean chit after which he was back in the cabinet. KPCC vice president PV Mohan said it is a high-profile case. “The contractors’ association had levelled allegations on commission charged by BJPs state vice president BY Vijayendra as well. A high-level probe should be initiated into the allegations,” he urged.